UT ROCKET FOOTBALL

Campbell will decide on Owens on game day

9/18/2013

BY RYAN AUTULLO BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Missouri's Markus Golden, left, reaches to intercept the ball that slipped out of Toledo quarterback Terrance Owens' hand, right, before returning it for a touchdwon during the third quarter of an NCAA college football in Columbia, Mo.

Terrance Owens was healthy enough to practice the last two days. It remains to be seen if the University of Toledo quarterback will be healthy enough Saturday to play.

Owens, who has a sprained left knee, will be a game-time decision for the Mid-American Conference opener at Central Michigan, coach Matt Campbell said Wednesday.

Campbell said Owens is splitting first-team snaps this week with true freshman Logan Woodside and that a decision could be made minutes before the noon kickoff at Kelly/​Shorts Stadium.

"It looks like he’ll be back soon," Campbell said. "We just have to make sure it’s the right call on Saturday."

Campbell, who is not expected to address the media again until after the game, added "the biggest thing is a mobility standpoint."

Owens was carted off the field early Saturday against Eastern Washington and did not return. Woodside, making his first appearance, led the offense to two second-half touchdown drives. He finished 14 of 24 for 185 yards and did not turn over the ball.

Owens watched the second half on crutches. He wore a protective brace on his knee at Wednesday’s practice.

"You’ve seen him progressively get better each day," Campbell said. "I don’t want to put him in a position to reinjure himself so we’ll make sure he’s ready to do everything we ask him to do from an offensive standpoint."

Campbell could opt to sit Owens to ensure his availability next week for a key MAC West test at Ball State. The Cardinals are picked to finish third in the division behind defending champion Northern Illinois and Toledo.

Central Michigan (1-2), which has its own quarterback issues, blew a 21-point lead Saturday at UNLV. The Chippewas are down to third quarterback Cooper Rush due to an injury to starter Cody Kater and ineffectiveness by back up Alex Niznak. Rush is expected to make his second start Saturday.